RichardPON

If you're doing London To Brighton, a soft seat is a necessity.

Would also swap for slick tyres for road use.

I did it last year and am again this year....

Farmer Giles

Get a couple of spare inner tubes for when your on the road. Much quicker just to replace a tube when your out then fix the punctures when you get home..

I've got a mini pump and an under seat tool pack on my road bike which has enough space for a spare tube, a multi tool and a couple of tyre levers. They stay on the bike so I always have them with me..

2p

It's Czech Mate

I'd actually suggest a seat that fits properly and is positioned properly over any seat thats soft, the really soft ones tend to be heavy and chafe a bit, a good bike shop will help

Agree 100% about the tyre on L2B.....i've done it loads of times now on my 5.5 inch travel full suspension bike with tiny thin slicks, it makes a huge difference on tarmac........its fun passing the racing bikes when you get up a good head of steam too......I got 46mph down the hill into Brighton last year.....

Andreas

Anyone clued up on cranksets and what parts that work together?

I need to get a new crank for my Cannondale but its like 15 years old so im not sure what to get. The bikeshops over here charge silly amounts for a Shimano LX or XT so I was hoping to get one on eBay.

Trouble is the XT gear lever and rear cassette is 8-spd and I got the impression all new Shimano's are either 9- or 10-spd and use a narrower chain. Any ideas?